When she turned 10, they promised, she could have a horse of her own. For Christmas, she asked Santa for new cowgirl boots and a hat.

The Rekoses described their daughter as "a creative, beautiful little girl who loved playing with her little brothers, Travis and Shane.

"She spent time writing in her journals, making up stories, and doing 'research' on orca whales - one of her passions after seeing the movie Free Willy last year." Her dream of seeing a real orca was realised in October when she went to SeaWorld.

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Jessica, first born in the family, "was our rock," her parents said. "She had an answer for everything, she didn't miss a trick, and she outsmarted us every time." A thoughtful planner, she was "our little CEO".

Meanwhile, an 11-year-old boy allegedly brought a gun into school in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The unnamed child said he was defending himself in case of an attack similar to the Sandy Hook massacre, according to police.

He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault after other students told officers he pointed the handgun at them on a field at an elementary school.

Officials say staff confronted the boy in class after hearing he had a weapon and seized the unloaded gun and ammunition from his rucksack.